Anvil buttress attachment for surgical stapling apparatus

ABSTRACT

An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is releasably retained on the anvil buttress loading tool with a body of the anvil buttress is positioned on a base of the anvil buttress loading tool, a proximal tab of the anvil buttress positioned over a loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool, and a distal tab of the anvil buttress positioned within a flange of the anvil buttress loading tool. The anvil buttress is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly such that the anvil buttress is releasably secured to the anvil assembly with the body positioned on a tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly, the proximal tab engaged with a pin assembly of the anvil assembly, and the distal tab engaged with an anvil tip of the anvil assembly.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to surgical devices, and more particularly, to anvil buttress attachment systems, assemblies, and methods for releasably securing an anvil buttress to the surgical stapling apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling apparatus are employed by surgeons to sequentially or simultaneously apply one or more rows of fasteners, e.g., staples or two-part fasteners, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together. Such apparatus generally include a pair of jaws or finger-like structures between which the body tissue to be joined is placed. When the surgical stapling apparatus is actuated, or “fired”, longitudinally moving firing bars contact staple drive members in one of the jaws. The staple drive members push the surgical staples through the body tissue and into an anvil in the opposite jaw which forms the staples. If body tissue is to be removed or separated, a knife blade can be provided in the jaws of the apparatus to cut the body tissue between the lines of staples.

Surgical supports, e.g., meshes or buttress materials, may be used in combination with surgical stapling apparatus to bridge, repair, and/or reinforce tissue defects within a patient. A clinician may manually attach buttress material(s) to the surgical stapling apparatus in the operating room during a surgical procedure, or utilize a surgical stapling apparatus including the buttress material(s) pre-installed thereon, e.g., by an expensive automated attachment process. The buttress material reinforces the staple or suture line as well as covers the juncture of the tissues to reduce leakage prior to healing.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to anvil side buttress material attachment onto a jaw assembly of a surgical stapling apparatus. Anvil buttress attachment systems, assemblies, and methods of the present disclosure are designed to provide robust, releasable mechanical attachment of an anvil buttress to an anvil assembly, and to make anvil side buttress material attachment in the operating room a simple, straightforward, and cost-effective procedure.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an anvil buttress loading system including an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil assembly includes an anvil plate and an anvil tip. The anvil plate has a tissue facing surface with a proximal end portion of the tissue facing surface including a pin assembly. The anvil buttress loading tool includes a base having a support surface, a loading ramp extending proximally of the base, and a flange extending distally from the base. The anvil buttress includes a body, a proximal tab extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body. The anvil buttress is releasably retained (e.g., pre-loaded) on the anvil buttress loading tool with the body positioned on the support surface, the proximal tab positioned over the loading ramp, and the distal tab positioned within the flange. The anvil buttress is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly such that the anvil buttress is releasably secured to the anvil assembly with the body positioned on the tissue facing surface, the proximal tab engaged with the pin assembly, and the distal tab engaged with the anvil tip.

The pin assembly of the anvil assembly may include a pair of retaining pins disposed on opposed sides of a central longitudinal slot defined through the tissue facing surface of the anvil plate. Each retaining pin may include a body positioned against the tissue facing surface and movable relative thereto. The bodies of the pair of retaining pins are configured to hold the proximal tab of the anvil buttress against the tissue facing surface. The tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly may include a groove defined therein. The bodies of the pair of retaining pins may be biased to extend into the groove. Each retaining pin may include an arm extending laterally from the body and secured to the anvil assembly. Each of the bodies of the pair of retaining pins may be disposed at an angle relative to the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly.

The loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool may include a proximal end and a sloped surface sloping upwardly and distally from the proximal end to a distal end of the loading ramp. The loading ramp may be configured to move the bodies of the pair of retaining pins off of the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly. The loading ramp may be coupled to the base by a post, and a pair of apertures may be defined on opposed sides of the post between the base and the loading ramp. The bodies of the pair of retaining pins may be configured to follow the sloped surface of the loading ramp and pass into the pair of apertures during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly.

The flange of the anvil buttress loading tool may be disposed at an angle relative to the base. A distal opening may be defined through the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool and a distal window may be defined through the distal tab of the anvil buttress. The distal window may be aligned with the distal opening such that during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly, the anvil tip of the anvil assembly engages the distal tab through the distal window.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an anvil buttress loading assembly including an anvil buttress loading tool and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress loading tool includes a base having a support surface, a loading ramp extending proximally of the base, and a flange extending distally from the base. The anvil buttress includes a body, a proximal tab extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body. The body of the anvil buttress is positioned on the support surface, the proximal tab of the anvil buttress is positioned over the loading ramp, and the distal tab is positioned within the flange.

The loading ramp may include a proximal end and a sloped surface sloping upwardly and distally from the proximal end to a distal end of the loading ramp. The loading ramp may be coupled to the base by a post, and a pair of apertures may be defined on opposed sides of the post between the base and the loading ramp.

The flange may extend at an angle relative to the base. A distal opening may be defined through the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool and a distal window may be defined through the distal tab of the anvil buttress. The distal window may be aligned with the distal opening.

In yet another aspect, a tool assembly includes a staple cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and an anvil buttress. The anvil assembly includes an anvil plate and an anvil tip. The anvil plate has a tissue facing surface with a proximal end portion of the tissue facing surface including a pin assembly. The anvil buttress includes a body disposed over the tissue facing surface, a proximal tab releasably coupled to the anvil assembly by the pin assembly, and a distal tab releasably coupled to the anvil tip.

The pin assembly of the anvil assembly may include a pair of retaining pins disposed on opposed sides of a central longitudinal slot defined through the tissue facing surface of the anvil plate. Each retaining pin may include a body positioned against the tissue facing surface and movable relative thereto, the bodies of the pair of retaining pins holding the proximal tab of the anvil buttress against the tissue facing surface. The tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly may include a groove defined therein. The bodies of the pair of retaining pins may be biased to extend into the groove. Each retaining pin may include an arm extending laterally from the body and secured to the anvil assembly. Each of the bodies of the pair of retaining pins may be disposed at an angle relative to the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly.

The anvil buttress may include a distal window defined through the distal tab. The distal tab may be coupled to the anvil assembly by engagement of the distal tab around the anvil tip through the distal window.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, as well as features, objects, and advantages of the aspects described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling apparatus including a tool assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of an anvil assembly of the tool assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 2 , illustrating a pin assembly of the anvil assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anvil assembly of FIG. 2 , taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 2 , shown with retaining pins of the pin assembly separated from the anvil assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an anvil buttress loading tool and an anvil buttress in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 5 , illustrating a loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 5 , shown loaded with the anvil buttress of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the anvil assembly of FIG. 2 and the loaded anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the anvil assembly and the loaded anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 8 , taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a close-up view of the area of detail of FIG. 10 , shown with the loaded anvil buttress loading tool partially advanced onto the anvil assembly and the loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool engaged with the retaining pins of the pin assembly of the anvil assembly;

FIG. 12 is a close-up view of proximal and distal portions of the anvil assembly and the loaded anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 9 , shown with the loaded anvil buttress loading tool fully advanced onto the anvil assembly;

FIG. 13 is a bottom, perspective view of the anvil assembly and the loaded anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14 is a bottom, perspective view of the anvil assembly and the anvil buttress loading tool of FIG. 13 , shown with the anvil assembly loaded with the anvil buttress and the anvil buttress loading tool separated therefrom;

FIG. 15 is a close-up view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 14 , illustrating a proximal portion of the anvil buttress secured to the anvil assembly by the retaining pins of the pin assembly; and

FIG. 16 is a close-up view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 1 , illustrating the anvil assembly of the tool assembly loaded with the anvil buttress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. Throughout this description, the term “proximal” refers to a portion of a structure, or component thereof, that is closer to a user, and the term “distal” refers to a portion of the structure, or component thereof, that is farther from the user.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary surgical stapling apparatus or surgical stapler 1 is shown for use in stapling tissue in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The surgical stapling apparatus 1 will be described to the extent necessary to disclose aspects of the present disclosure.

The surgical stapling apparatus 1 generally includes a handle assembly 10, an elongate tubular body 20 extending distally from the handle assembly 10, and a loading unit 30 extending distally from the elongate tubular body 20. The handle assembly 10 may be manually driven or may be powered (e.g., by an electric motor). For a detailed description of the structure and function of exemplary surgical stapling apparatus, including exemplar manual and powered handle assemblies, exemplar elongate tubular bodies, and exemplar loading units, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,762,256, 5,865,361, and 9,918,713, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It should be appreciated that principles of the present disclosure are equally applicable to surgical stapling apparatus having other configurations such as, for example, the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,810,240 and 7,334,717, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, it should be understood that a variety of surgical stapling apparatus may be utilized with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, laparoscopic or open staplers, such as, for example, GIA™, Endo GIA™, TA™, and Endo TA™ staplers and/or linear and radial reloads with, for example, Tri-Staple™ technology, available through Medtronic (North Haven, Conn.) may be utilized with aspects of the present disclosure.

The loading unit 30 may also be configured for use with other surgical apparatus, such as robotic devices/instruments. For a detailed description of the structure and function of exemplary robotic systems, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,231,565 and 8,828,023, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The loading unit 30 includes a tool or jaw assembly 32 including first and second jaw members 32 a, 32 b. One or both of the first and second jaw members 32 a, 32 b is pivotable with respect to the other such that the tool assembly 32 is movable between an open position in which the first and second jaw members 32 a, 32 b are spaced apart with respect to each other, and a closed position in which the first and second jaw members 32 a, 32 b are substantially adjacent each other.

The loading unit 30 is a disposable loading unit (“DLU”) that is releasably secured to the elongated tubular body 20 and thus, replaceable with a new loading unit 30. The loading unit 30 may be a single use loading unit (“SULU”) that is used one time and then replaced to facilitate multiples uses of the surgical stapling apparatus 1 on a patient. For example, during a surgical procedure, the surgical stapling apparatus 1 can be used to staple and cut tissue, and the entire SULU is replaced after each staple and cut operation of the surgical stapling apparatus 1. The loading unit 30 may be a multi-use loading unit (“MULU”) that is re-useable a predetermined number of times. For example, during a surgical procedure, the surgical stapling apparatus 1 can be used to staple and cut tissue, and a reload assembly (e.g., a staple cartridge 42) of the MULU is replaced after each staple and cut operation of the surgical stapling apparatus 1 a pre-determined number of times before the entire MULU is replaced. Alternatively, the loading unit 30 may be permanently affixed to the elongated tubular body 20.

The first jaw member 32 a of the tool assembly 32 includes a staple cartridge assembly 40 and the second jaw member 32 b of the tool assembly 32 includes an anvil assembly 50. The staple cartridge assembly 40 includes a staple cartridge 42 that may be removably and/or replaceably attached to a cartridge carrier 44 of the staple cartridge assembly 40. The staple cartridge 42 may be any staple cartridge used in surgical stapling apparatus within the purview of those skilled in the art that includes a plurality of fasteners (e.g., staples) releasably disposed therein.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 , the anvil assembly 50 includes an anvil plate 52 and an anvil cover 54 (FIG. 9 ) secured over the anvil plate 52. The anvil plate 52 has a central longitudinal slot 51 formed therein and a plurality of staple forming pockets or cavities 53 defined in an inward or tissue facing surface 56 thereof. An anvil tip 58 extends distally of the staple forming pockets 53. The anvil tip 58 has a curved leading end 58 a and a pair of notches 58 b defined in opposed side edges of the anvil tip 58. The pair of notches 58 b are configured to releasably secure a distal portion of an anvil buttress to the anvil assembly 50. A proximal portion 52 a of the anvil plate 52, which extends proximally of the staple forming pockets 53, includes a groove 55 defined in and extending across the tissue facing surface 56 and a pin assembly 60 configured to releasably secure a proximal portion of an anvil buttress to the anvil assembly 50.

The pin assembly 60 includes a pair of retaining blocks 62 and a pair of retaining pins 64 disposed on opposed sides of the central longitudinal slot 51 of the anvil plate 52. Each retaining block 62 is secured to or integrally formed with an inner side surface 54 a of the anvil cover 54. A proximal portion 62 a of the retaining block 62 is aligned with the groove 55 of the anvil plate 52 and a distal portion 62 b of the retaining block 62 includes one or more pin holes 63 defined in a surface of the retaining block 62 facing the central longitudinal slot 51.

Each retaining pin 64 is formed from a rod of material (e.g., a metal wire) that is pre-formed (e.g., bent) into an open frame including a body 66 having a substantially rectangular shape and a pair of arms 68 extending laterally from the body 66. The retaining pins 64 are formed from a rigid material that is capable of holding its shape and undergoing elastic deformation upon application of a force thereto, as described in detail below. The pair of arms 68 are non-rotatably disposed (e.g., secured) within the pin holes 63 of the retaining blocks 62 and the body 66 extends across the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil plate 52 between the retaining block 62 and the central longitudinal slot 51, with a segment 66 a of the body 66 positioned within the groove 55 defined in the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil plate 52.

As the groove 55 is disposed proximal to the pin holes 63, the body 66 of the retaining pin 64 is disposed at an angle with respect to the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil assembly 50. The retaining pin 64 is positioned such that the body 66 is biased to extend into the groove 55. In some aspects, the body 66 is held under strain within the groove 55. The body 66 of the retaining pin 64 is movable out of the groove 55 (e.g., capable of being raised out of the groove 55 and off of the tissue facing surface 56) upon application of a force thereto. The body 66 may be disposed at an acute angle with respect to the portion of the tissue facing surface 56 including the staple forming pockets 53 such that the body 66 is movable upon application of a force in only a proximal direction.

It should be understood that the pin assembly 60 may have other configurations. For example, each retaining pin may include a single arm, the arm(s) of each retaining pin may be directly coupled to the anvil assembly (e.g., the retaining blocks may be omitted), and/or the body of each retaining pin may be sized and shaped to directly abut the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly (e.g., the groove may be omitted).

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an anvil buttress 70 (also referred to herein generally as a surgical buttress) is shown separated from an anvil buttress loading tool 80 (also referred to herein generally as a loading tool). The anvil buttress 70 includes a body 72 having a tissue contacting surface 73 a and an anvil contacting surface 73 b. The body 72 has a generally rectangular shape that is sized to cover the tissue facing surface 56 (FIG. 2 ) of the anvil assembly 50. A pair of wings 74 extend from opposed sides of a proximal portion 72 a of the body 72.

A proximal tab 76 extends proximally from the proximal portion 72 a of the body 72 and has a smaller width than the body 72. A proximal window 75 is defined in a distal portion 76 b of the proximal tab 76. A distal tab 78 extends distally from a distal portion 72 b of the body 72. The distal tab 78 is bent to extend at an angle relative to the body 72 and has a distal window 77 defined therethrough. The distal window 77 is sized and shaped to receive the anvil tip 58 (FIG. 2 ) therethrough. The distal window 77 may be configured so that the distal tab 78 engages the notches 58 b (FIG. 2 ) in the anvil tip 58 to aid in retaining the distal tab 78 thereto. In aspects in which notches 58 b are not defined in the anvil tip 58, the distal window 77 is configured so that the distal tab 78 frictionally engages the anvil tip 58. In some aspects, the distal tab 78 may be stiffened to retain the bend relative to the body 72 and, in other aspects, the distal tab 78 is bent relative to the body 72 by positioning the distal tab 78 within a flange 88 of the anvil buttress loading tool 80. In aspects, the distal tab 78 extends at an acute angle relative to anvil facing surface 73 b of the body 72 to aid in retaining the distal tab 78 to the anvil tip 58.

The anvil buttress 70 is fabricated from biocompatible materials which are bioabsorbable or non-absorbable, natural or synthetic materials. It should be understood that a single or combination of natural, synthetic, bioabsorbable, and/or non-bioabsorbable materials may be used to form the anvil buttress 70. In aspects, the anvil buttress 70 is formed from a single sheet of material that is cut to shape. In other aspects, the anvil buttress 70 is formed from a plurality of sheets of material, that are fabricated from the same or different materials, and/or the components (e.g., the body, the wings, the tabs, etc.) of the anvil buttress 70 are formed from the same or different materials that are attached to one another by, for example, welding, using adhesive, tying sutures, etc.

The anvil buttress 70 may be porous, non-porous, or combinations thereof. Suitable porous structures include, for example, fibrous structures (e.g., knitted structures, woven structures, and non-woven structures) and/or foams (e.g., open or closed cell foams). Suitable non-porous structures include, for example, films. The anvil buttress 70 may be a single porous or non-porous layer, or include a plurality of layers including any combination of porous and non-porous layers. For example, the anvil buttress may include multiple porous and non-porous layers that are stacked in an alternating manner. In another example, the anvil buttress may be formed in a “sandwich-like” manner wherein the outer layers are porous and the inner layer(s) are non-porous, or vice versa.

Porous layer(s) in a surgical buttress may enhance the ability of the surgical buttress to absorb fluid, reduce bleeding, and/or seal a wound. Also, the porous layer(s) may allow for tissue ingrowth to fix the surgical buttress in place. Non-porous layer(s) in a surgical buttress may enhance the ability of the surgical buttress to resist tears and perforations during the manufacturing, shipping, handling, and/or stapling processes. Also, non-porous layer(s) may retard or prevent tissue ingrowth from surrounding tissues thereby acting as an adhesion barrier and preventing the formation of unwanted scar tissue.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 , the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is configured to releasably retain the anvil buttress 70 thereon and to receive the anvil assembly 50 (FIG. 2 ) therein for loading the anvil buttress 70 onto the anvil assembly 50 (e.g., transferring the anvil buttress 70 from the anvil buttress loading tool 80 to the anvil assembly 50). The anvil buttress loading tool 80 includes a base 82 having a support surface 83 and longitudinal rails 84 extending from opposed sides of the base 82. The support surface 83 is dimensioned to accommodate the body 72 of the anvil buttress 70 thereon. The longitudinal rails 84 help maintain alignment of the anvil buttress 70 on the anvil buttress loading tool 80 and act as guides during loading and unloading of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 onto and off of the anvil assembly 50.

The anvil buttress loading tool 80 includes a loading ramp 86 at a proximal end 80 a thereof and a flange 88 at a distal end 80 b thereof. The flange 88 is bent to extend at an angle relative to the base 82 and defines a distal opening 87 therethrough. In aspects, the flange 88 is bent at an acute angle relative to the support surface 83 of the base 82. The flange 88 is configured to receive the distal tab 78 of the anvil buttress 70 therein. The distal opening 87 in the flange 88 is dimensioned to correspond with the dimensions of the distal window 77 in the anvil buttress 70 which, in turn, is dimensioned to receive and frictionally engage the anvil tip 58, as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the loading ramp 86 is interconnected with the base 82 by a post 85 such that a pair of apertures or cut-outs 89 are defined on opposed sides of the post 85 between the base 82 and the loading ramp 86. In aspects, the width of the post 85 corresponds with a width of the central longitudinal slot 51 (FIG. 2 ) of the anvil assembly 50. The loading ramp 86 includes a proximal end 86 a which acts as a camming surface to move the retaining pins 64 (FIG. 3 ) of the pin assembly 60 of the anvil assembly 50, as described below, and a sloped surface 86 c sloping upwardly and distally from the proximal end 86 a to a distal end 86 b of the loading ramp 86 for guiding the movement of the retaining pins 64 during loading of the anvil buttress 70 onto the anvil assembly 50. The loading ramp 86 and the post 85 are dimensioned to accommodate the proximal tab 76 of the anvil buttress 70 thereon. In some aspects, a proximal portion 76 a of the proximal tab 76 is positioned on the loading ramp 86 and the post 85, and the distal portion 76 b of the proximal tab 76 is positioned on the base 82.

In a method of loading the anvil buttress loading tool 80 with the anvil buttress 70, the body 72 of the anvil buttress 70 is placed against the support surface 83 of the base 82 with the tissue contacting surface 73 a of the anvil buttress 70 in contact with the support surface 83 and the pair of wings 74 disposed proximal to the longitudinal rails 84. With the body 72 of the anvil buttress 70 positioned on the support surface 83, the proximal tab 76 of the anvil buttress 70 is positioned on the loading ramp 86 and the distal tab 78 is positioned within the flange 88 such that the distal window 77 is aligned or in registration with the distal opening 87 of the flange 88. The loaded configuration of the anvil buttress 70 on the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is shown in FIG. 7 . The anvil buttress 70 is releasably retained on the anvil buttress loading tool 80 by, for example, static friction, modification of the surface characteristics (e.g., texture) of the anvil buttress loading tool for gripping of the anvil buttress, application of a light adhesive or adhesive with low aggressiveness between the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 8-14 , in a method of loading the anvil assembly 50 with the anvil buttress 70, the anvil buttress loading tool 80, loaded with the anvil buttress 70, is positioned relative to the anvil assembly 50 with the anvil buttress 70 facing the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIG. 8 . The loading ramp 86 of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is distal to and aligned with the pin assembly 60 of the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 , and the flange 88 of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is distal to and aligned with the anvil tip 58 of the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIG. 9 .

The anvil buttress loading tool 80 is placed adjacent to the anvil assembly 50 with the anvil buttress 70 in contact with the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIG. 11 . The anvil buttress loading tool 80 is slid proximally over the anvil assembly 50 and is guided by the longitudinal rails 84 (FIG. 9 ) to maintain alignment of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 on the anvil assembly 50. During this sliding movement, the proximal end 86 a of the loading ramp 86 contacts the retaining pins 64 of the pin assembly 60, pivoting and lifting the bodies 66 of the retaining pins 64 proximally and upwardly out of the groove 55 and away from the tissue facing surface 56 of the anvil plate 52 and along the sloped surface 86 c of the loading ramp 86.

The bodies 66 of the retaining pins 64 follow the sloped surface 86 c of the loading ramp 86 until the loading ramp 86 clears the retaining pins 64 (e.g., the loading ramp 86 is proximal of the bodies 66) and the bodies 66 snap back down into the groove 55 defined in the anvil plate 52, as seen in FIG. 12 , as the retaining pins 64 return to their biased position. The bodies 66 of the retaining pins 64 move into the apertures 89 of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 and capture the proximal tab 76 of the anvil buttress 70 within the groove 55 of the anvil plate 52. In this fully advanced position, the flange 88 of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is engaged with the anvil tip 58 of the anvil assembly 50 such that the anvil tip 58 extends through the distal opening 87 of the flange 88 and is engaged with the distal tab 78 of the anvil buttress 70 through the distal window 77. It should be understood that additionally or alternatively, the anvil assembly 50 may be slid distally relative to the anvil buttress loading tool 80.

Once the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is fully advanced onto the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIG. 13 , the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is separated from the anvil assembly 50 by lifting the proximal end 80 a of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 off of the anvil assembly 50 in the direction of arrow “A,” as seen in FIG. 14 , so that the anvil buttress loading tool 80 clears the retaining pins 64 of the anvil assembly 50 through the apertures 89. As the proximal end 80 a of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is separated from the anvil assembly 50, the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is moved distally relative to the anvil assembly 50 in the direction of arrow “B,” as also seen in FIG. 14 , so that the distal end 80 b of the anvil buttress loading tool 80 clears the anvil tip 58 of the anvil assembly 50 through the distal opening 87. Additionally or alternatively, the anvil assembly 50 may be moved away from the anvil buttress loading tool 80 in directions opposite arrows “A” and “B.”

After the anvil buttress loading tool 80 is separated from the anvil assembly 50, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 , a proximal portion 70 a of the anvil buttress 70 is retained on the anvil assembly 50 through engagement of the pin assembly 60 capturing the proximal tab 76 between the retaining pins 64 and the groove 55 of the anvil plate 52, and a distal portion 70 b of the anvil buttress 70 is retained on the anvil assembly 50 by engagement of the distal tab 78 with the notches 58 b of the anvil tip 58 through the distal window 77.

As shown in FIG. 16 , in conjunction with FIG. 1 , the surgical stapling apparatus 1, with the anvil assembly 50 loaded with the anvil buttress 70, is ready for use. In aspects, the staple cartridge assembly 40 is pre-loaded and/or loaded with a cartridge buttress (not explicitly shown). The cartridge buttress may be releasably secured to the staple cartridge assembly 40 via any suitable attachment feature within the purview of those skilled in the art, such as, for example, mechanical attachment features (e.g., sutures, pins), chemical attachment features (e.g., adhesive), and/or attachment methods (e.g., welding).

In operation, with the tool assembly 32 loaded with the anvil buttress 70, as described above, the surgical stapling apparatus 1 is used in accordance with methods known by those skilled in the art. Once the staple cartridge and anvil assemblies 40, 50 are clamped onto tissue, the surgical stapling apparatus 1 is fired, thereby stapling the anvil buttress 70 to the tissue, as well as cutting and dividing the tissue and the anvil buttress 70 disposed between the rows of formed staples. When firing is complete and the staple cartridge and anvil assemblies 40, 50 are unclamped, the anvil buttress 70, which is now stapled to the tissue, pulls away from the anvil assembly 50, and the tool assembly 32 can be removed from the surgical site. In some aspects, the used staple cartridge 42 may be removed from the tool assembly 34 and replaced with a new staple cartridge 42 and, in some other aspects, the loading unit 30 may be replaced with a new loading unit 30. A new anvil buttress 70 may be installed onto the anvil assembly 50 by an anvil buttress loading tool 80, as needed or desired, as described above.

While aspects of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of aspects of the disclosure. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anvil buttress loading system comprising: an anvil assembly including an anvil plate and an anvil tip, the anvil plate having a tissue facing surface, a proximal end portion of the tissue facing surface including a pin assembly; an anvil buttress loading tool including a base having a support surface, a loading ramp extending proximally of the base, and a flange extending distally from the base; and an anvil buttress including a body, a proximal tab extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body, the anvil buttress releasably retained on the anvil buttress loading tool with the body positioned on the support surface, the proximal tab positioned over the loading ramp, and the distal tab positioned within the flange, the anvil buttress transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly such that the anvil buttress is releasably secured to the anvil assembly with the body positioned on the tissue facing surface, the proximal tab engaged with the pin assembly, and the distal tab engaged with the anvil tip.
 2. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 1, wherein the pin assembly of the anvil assembly includes a pair of retaining pins disposed on opposed sides of a central longitudinal slot defined through the tissue facing surface of the anvil plate, each retaining pin including a body positioned against the tissue facing surface and movable relative thereto, the bodies of the pair of retaining pins configured to hold the proximal tab of the anvil buttress against the tissue facing surface.
 3. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 2, wherein the tissue facing surface includes a groove defined therein, and the bodies of the pair of retaining pins are biased to extend into the groove.
 4. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 2, wherein each retaining pin includes an arm extending laterally from the body and secured to the anvil assembly.
 5. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 2, wherein each of the bodies of the pair of retaining pins is disposed at an angle relative to the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly.
 6. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 2, wherein the loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool includes a proximal end and a sloped surface sloping upwardly and distally from the proximal end to a distal end of the loading ramp, the loading ramp configured to move the bodies of the pair of retaining pins off of the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly.
 7. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 6, wherein the loading ramp is coupled to the base by a post, and a pair of apertures are defined on opposed sides of the post between the base and the loading ramp, and the bodies of the pair of retaining pins are configured to follow the sloped surface and pass into the pair of apertures during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly.
 8. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 2, wherein the pin assembly of the anvil assembly includes a pair of retaining blocks, and the pair of retaining pins are coupled to the pair of retaining blocks.
 9. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 1, wherein the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool is disposed at an angle relative to the base.
 10. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 9, wherein a distal opening is defined through the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool and a distal window is defined through the distal tab of the anvil buttress, and the distal window is aligned with the distal opening such that during transfer of the anvil buttress to the anvil assembly, the anvil tip of the anvil assembly engages the distal tab through the distal window.
 11. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 1, wherein the anvil assembly includes a pair of notches defined in opposed side edges of the anvil tip, and the distal tab of the anvil buttress is configured to engage the pair of notches.
 12. The anvil buttress loading system according to claim 1, wherein the anvil buttress loading tool includes longitudinal rails extending from opposed sides of the base, the longitudinal rails configured to help maintain alignment of the anvil buttress on the anvil buttress loading tool and to act as guides during loading and unloading of the anvil buttress loading tool onto and off of the anvil assembly.
 13. An anvil buttress loading assembly comprising: an anvil buttress loading tool including a base having a support surface, a loading ramp extending proximally of the base, and a flange extending distally from the base; and an anvil buttress including a body, a proximal tab extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body, the body of the anvil buttress positioned on the support surface, the proximal tab of the anvil buttress positioned over the loading ramp, and the distal tab positioned within the flange.
 14. The anvil buttress loading assembly according to claim 13, wherein the loading ramp includes a proximal end and a sloped surface sloping upwardly and distally from the proximal end to a distal end of the loading ramp.
 15. The anvil buttress loading assembly according to claim 14, wherein a distal opening is defined through the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool and a distal window is defined through the distal tab of the anvil buttress, and the distal window is aligned with the distal opening.
 16. The anvil buttress loading assembly according to claim 13, wherein the loading ramp is coupled to the base by a post, and a pair of apertures are defined on opposed sides of the post between the base and the loading ramp.
 17. The anvil buttress loading assembly according to claim 13, wherein the flange extends at an angle relative to the base.
 18. The anvil buttress loading assembly according to claim 13, wherein the anvil buttress loading tool includes longitudinal rails extending from opposed sides of the base.
 19. A method of loading an anvil assembly with an anvil buttress, the method comprising: transferring an anvil buttress from an anvil buttress loading tool to an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly including an anvil plate and an anvil tip, the anvil plate having a tissue facing surface, a proximal end portion of the tissue facing surface including a pin assembly, the anvil buttress loading tool including a base having a support surface, a loading ramp extending proximally of the base, and a flange extending distally from the base, and the anvil buttress including a body, a proximal tab extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body, the anvil buttress releasably retained on the anvil buttress loading tool with the body positioned on the support surface, the proximal tab positioned over the loading ramp, and the distal tab positioned within the flange, the anvil buttress transferred from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly such that the anvil buttress is releasably secured to the anvil assembly with the body positioned on the tissue facing surface, the proximal tab engaged with the pin assembly, and the distal tab engaged with the anvil tip.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein transferring the anvil buttress from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly includes placing the anvil buttress in contact with the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly and sliding the anvil buttress loading tool proximally over the anvil assembly such that: the loading ramp of the anvil buttress loading tool contacts the pin assembly; and the flange of the anvil buttress loading tool engages the anvil tip of the anvil assembly. 